High school senior shot, killed in parking lot of Grand Rapids strip mall

A 17-year-old high school senior was shot and killed in the parking lot of the Towne & Country Shopping Center just before 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Author:
13 ON YOUR SIDE Staff

Published:
5:33 PM EST January 13, 2019

Updated:
3:39 PM EST January 14, 2019

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — An East Kentwood High School senior was shot and killed in the parking lot of the Towne & Country Shopping Center at Kalamazoo Avenue SE and 44th Street SE early Sunday evening, according to Grand Rapids Police.

Police identified the victim as 17-year-old James King on Monday afternoon. The Kent County Medical Examiner ruled King's death a homicide, making it the first homicide of 2019.

Grand Rapids Police said a vehicle was impounded on Sunday night in connection with the homicide. It was located a few blocks away from the shooting on the 4200 block of Norman Dr. SE. Investigators believe the vehicle was used by the suspect to flee the area.

No suspects have been charged with homicide for the death of King.

WZZM/Amari Rose

On Sunday night, Sgt. Cathy Williams with GRPD said that they do not believe the shooting was a random incident. "We do believe that the victim was an intended target," she said.

Kentwood Public Schools issued a statement about the 17-year-old's death. Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff said that the district's hearts and prayers go out to King's friends and family.

"He will be missed dearly by all of us," said Zoerhoff. "On Monday morning our District Crisis Team and trauma counselors will be available at East Kentwood High School to support our students and staff."

Police originally said King was shot outside of Florentine Sports Lounge, which is a part of the strip mall right near the border between Grand Rapids and the city of Kentwood. GRPD later updated the information about the location and they said that Florentines was not involved.

"It was in a public parking lot in the Towne and Country parking lot. I want to make that very clear," Williams said.